Kazmir considered Astros before signing with A’s in offseason

OAKLAND, Calif. – In an alternate universe, there’s a different Scott leading the Astros’ rotation.

Just days before the Astros signed veteran starting pitcher Scott Feldman this winter, lefthander Scott Kazmir signed with the Oakland Athletics.

A Cypress Falls product who in 2002 broke Josh Beckett’s state high school strikeout record, Kazmir said Friday he seriously considered his hometown Astros before signing with the A’s for two years and $22 million. That deal became public knowledge Dec. 2. Feldman’s three-year, $30 million deal with the Astros came to light four days later.

Kazmir met with the Astros before settling on the A’s. He’s scheduled to start against the Astros for the first time this season Saturday.

“Yeah, it was serious,” Kazmir said. “I ended up talking to all of the guys. We had a meeting together, front office guys, (manager) Bo Porter was there. We talked about things. It just, for whatever reason, (didn’t work out).

“This is a great group of guys that are going to come up together and be a solid organization, a solid team in the big leagues. Definitely had interest.”

Both pitchers, practically the same age, are off to great starts. Kazmir, 30, entered Friday with the ninth-best ERA in the American League at 1.40. Feldman, 31, was two spots behind at 1.69.

But they’re different kinds of pitchers.

Kazmir (2-0) is a hard-throwing lefthander who strikes out a batter per inning. Feldman has averaged one strikeout every three innings this year. Kazmir has the higher ceiling, and he came cheaper – although he could be considered a little riskier.

With the budget the Astros had this winter, signing both Feldman and Kazmir would have been unrealistic. It was one or the other.

But the offseason wasn’t what the Astros should be upset about when it comes to Kazmir.

The Los Angeles Angels released a struggling Kazmir in 2011, when he lost both velocity and command. That led him to pitch for the Sugar Land Skeeters in 2012.

He was in the Astros’ own backyard, trying to rediscover the ability that made him the 15th overall draft pick in 2002.

The Astros whiffed.

“Never,” Kazmir said when asked if the Astros talked to him while he was with Sugar Land. “Not with me (directly, at least).”

Kazmir posted a 5.34 ERA for Sugar Land, but his strikeout numbers were good – 51 in 64 innings – and the Cleveland Indians gave him a chance in 2013.

In perspective of usual free-agent contracts, Kazmir’s deal with the Indians was virtually no-risk: a minor league contract with a guaranteed $1 million salary in the majors, plus a potential $1.75 million in incentives.

Kazmir went 10-9 with 162 strikeouts in 158 innings and a 4.04 ERA. He was a steal, and even the contract he received this offseason could be considered team-friendly.

“We identified a number of players, both pitchers and position players, we had interest in, and Scott (Kazmir) was certainly among them,” Astros assistant general manager David Stearns said. “The season he put together with Cleveland, combined with the fact that he’s a local kid, was certainly appealing, and I think at the end of the day we were really happy we were able to end up with Scott Feldman. He’s done an outstanding job so far. It seems like Kazmir’s done a really good job as well.”

Although Sugar Land helped Kazmir relaunch his career, that’s not a time in his life he looks back on often today.

“That’s something I don’t want to relive too much,” Kazmir said. “It was a great platform for me to get back into the game and everything. But I’m just looking forward.”

So why didn’t he choose this winter to pitch for the team he grew up rooting for?

Certainly, the A’s, who lead the American League West and are the division’s two-time defending champions, presented Kazmir a chance to win now.

“I wouldn’t even say just that,” Kazmir said of his reasoning. “It’s more like what they did in the past year, and the kind of the guys that I knew were going to be in this organization, going to be on this team. I felt like it was going to be a little more comfortable this year.”

Kazmir said he no longer feels any different emotion when he faces the Astros, despite his childhood fandom. And that’s to be expected since this is his 10th season in the majors.

Throwing 93 mph, Kazmir said his success this year has come from his consistency. He’s 78-70 lifetime with a 4.11 ERA, and he was the strikeout king in 2007 with the Tampa Bay Rays when fanned 239.

“Something I worked on last year and I’m bringing it into this year,” Kazmir said. “I feel like from spring training on, I had a good clue up there, and just progressing. That’s all I’m doing.”

He could have been doing it in a hometown uniform.

Photo: Alex Goodlett / Getty Images

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September 28: Mets 8, Astros 3

Jose Altuve won the batting title on the final day of the season.

Record: 70-92.

September 28: Mets 8, Astros 3

Jose Altuve won the batting title on the final day of the season.

Record: 70-92.

Photo: Alex Goodlett / Getty Images

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September 27: Mets 2, Astros 1

Eyeing the first batting title in team history, Jose Altuve went 0-for-4 in the second to last game of the season.

Record: 70-91.

September 27: Mets 2, Astros 1

Eyeing the first batting title in team history, Jose Altuve went 0-for-4 in the second to last game of the season.

Record: 70-91.

Photo: Jim McIsaac / Getty Images

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September 26: Astros 3, Mets 1

The Astros started their final leg of their last road trip of the season with a comeback win in New York, leaving them with 70 victories on the season -- surely more than most would've predicted prior to the season.

The Astros bullpen had a night to forget, highlighted by a go-ahead grand slam in the eighth inning.

Record: 47-68.

August 7: Phillies 6, Astros 5

The Astros bullpen had a night to forget, highlighted by a go-ahead grand slam in the eighth inning.

Record: 47-68.

Photo: Matt Slocum / Associated Press

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August 6: Phillies 10, Astros 3

Brad Peacock got tagged early and often by the Phillies as the Astros lost their second straight game in the interleague series in Philadelphia.

Record: 47-67.

August 6: Phillies 10, Astros 3

Brad Peacock got tagged early and often by the Phillies as the Astros lost their second straight game in the interleague series in Philadelphia.

Record: 47-67.

Photo: Matt Slocum / Associated Press

Image 50 of 163

August 5: Phillies 2, Astros 1 (15)

The Astros lost a 15-inning battle in the series opener in Philadelphia.

Record: 47-66.

August 5: Phillies 2, Astros 1 (15)

The Astros lost a 15-inning battle in the series opener in Philadelphia.

Record: 47-66.

Photo: Brian Garfinkel / Getty Images

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August 3: Astros 6, Blue Jays 1

Scott Feldman pitched his first complete game as a member of the Astros as the club won the series.

Record: 47-65.

August 3: Astros 6, Blue Jays 1

Scott Feldman pitched his first complete game as a member of the Astros as the club won the series.

Record: 47-65.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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August 2: Astros 8, Blue Jays 2

The Astros rediscovered their winning formula from May, matching the weather in a win over the Blue Jays.

Record: 46-65.

August 2: Astros 8, Blue Jays 2

The Astros rediscovered their winning formula from May, matching the weather in a win over the Blue Jays.

Record: 46-65.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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August 1: Astros 3, Blue Jays 1

Astros rookie Gregorio Petit delivers his first career home run in a big spot in a win over Toronto.

Record: 45-65.

August 1: Astros 3, Blue Jays 1

Astros rookie Gregorio Petit delivers his first career home run in a big spot in a win over Toronto.

Record: 45-65.

Photo: Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle

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July 31: Blue Jays 6, Astros 5

Astros closer Chad Qualls gives up a game-winning home run in the top of the ninth inning as Toronto takes the opener of a four-game set.

Record: 44-65.

July 31: Blue Jays 6, Astros 5

Astros closer Chad Qualls gives up a game-winning home run in the top of the ninth inning as Toronto takes the opener of a four-game set.

Record: 44-65.

Photo: Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle

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July 30: Astros 8, A's 1

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Jose Altuve's lead-off HR wasn't enough to avoid the sweep by the Marlins on Sunday afternoon.

Record: 42-63.

July 27: Marlins 4, Astros 2

Jose Altuve's lead-off HR wasn't enough to avoid the sweep by the Marlins on Sunday afternoon.

Record: 42-63.

Photo: Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle

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July 26: Marlins 7, Astros 3

Astros starter Jarred Cosart couldn't overcome his early struggles in a home loss to Miami.

Record: 42-62.

July 26: Marlins 7, Astros 3

Astros starter Jarred Cosart couldn't overcome his early struggles in a home loss to Miami.

Record: 42-62.

Photo: Bob Levey / Getty Images

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July 25: Marlins 2, Astros 0

Jason Castros and the rest of the Astros manage just three hits as Miami wins the series opener.

Record: 42-61.

July 25: Marlins 2, Astros 0

Jason Castros and the rest of the Astros manage just three hits as Miami wins the series opener.

Record: 42-61.

Photo: Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle

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July 24: Athletics 13, Astros 1

It was a long day for Scott Feldman and Co. in the series finale.

Record: 42-60.

July 24: Athletics 13, Astros 1

It was a long day for Scott Feldman and Co. in the series finale.

Record: 42-60.

Photo: Ezra Shaw / Getty Images

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July 23: Athletics 9, Astros 7

The A's rocked Brad Peacock early and the Astros' late rally was not enough.

Record: 42-59.

July 23: Athletics 9, Astros 7

The A's rocked Brad Peacock early and the Astros' late rally was not enough.

Record: 42-59.

Photo: Associated Press

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July 22: Astros 3, Athletics 2

Jose Altuve & Co. did just enough to pull out the opener of a three-game series with the rival A's.

Record: 42-58.

July 22: Astros 3, Athletics 2

Jose Altuve & Co. did just enough to pull out the opener of a three-game series with the rival A's.

Record: 42-58.

Photo: Associated Press

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July 20: Astros 11, White Sox 7

Jose Altuve connected for his third home run of the season as the Astros salvaged one win out of the weekend set in Chicago.

Record: 41-58.

July 20: Astros 11, White Sox 7

Jose Altuve connected for his third home run of the season as the Astros salvaged one win out of the weekend set in Chicago.

Record: 41-58.

Photo: David Banks / Getty Images

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July 19: White Sox 4, Astros 3

After missing out on an All-Star nod, Dallas Keuchel struggles in his first start after the break.

Record: 40-58.

July 19: White Sox 4, Astros 3

After missing out on an All-Star nod, Dallas Keuchel struggles in his first start after the break.

Record: 40-58.

Photo: David Banks / Getty Images

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July 18: White Sox 3, Astros 2

Houston came out of the All-Star break swinging but couldn't make an early two-run lead hold up.

Record: 40-57.

July 18: White Sox 3, Astros 2

Houston came out of the All-Star break swinging but couldn't make an early two-run lead hold up.

Record: 40-57.

Photo: Charles Rex Arbogast / Associated Press

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July 13: Red Sox 11, Astros 0

Houston enters the All-Star break on a low note after being manhandled by Boston.

Record: 40-56.

July 13: Red Sox 11, Astros 0

Houston enters the All-Star break on a low note after being manhandled by Boston.

Record: 40-56.

Photo: Melissa Phillip / Houston Chronicle

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July 12: Astros 3, Red Sox 2

Jason Castro homered and tripled while driving in two runs as the Astros scored the go-ahead run in the 8th inning to even the series with the Red Sox.

Record: 40-55.

July 12: Astros 3, Red Sox 2

Jason Castro homered and tripled while driving in two runs as the Astros scored the go-ahead run in the 8th inning to even the series with the Red Sox.

Record: 40-55.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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July 11: Red Sox 8, Astros 3

Even the hot-hitting Jose Altuve couldn't spark the Astros, who came out flat and bumbled their way to a series-opening loss to the Red Sox.

Record: 39-55.

July 11: Red Sox 8, Astros 3

Even the hot-hitting Jose Altuve couldn't spark the Astros, who came out flat and bumbled their way to a series-opening loss to the Red Sox.

Record: 39-55.

Photo: Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle

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July 9: Astros 8, Rangers 4

George Springer was back at it in the batter's box and field, leading the Astros to a sweep of the Rangers.

Record: 39-54.

July 9: Astros 8, Rangers 4

George Springer was back at it in the batter's box and field, leading the Astros to a sweep of the Rangers.

Record: 39-54.

Photo: Tony Gutierrez / Associated Press

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July 8: Astros 8, Rangers 3

George Springer and Chris Carter played long ball in Arlington as the Astros made it back-to-back wins over the Rangers in this series and four straight over Texas dating back to the last series in May.